calling – CadreMen Press

The Blood Of Saints

The Blood Of Saints by Kirk Hunt

I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement.

Revelation 17:6 NKJV

“Drunk, after consuming the blood of Christians and the martyrs of Jesus.” This imagery is graphic. The vision is supposed to be allegorical. After the events of recent days, I see John’s words all too vividly real.

Too many see injustice and oppression then blame the victim(s). Or they go further and exalt in the pain and suffering of innocents. Hurting others is a joy and pleasure for some corrupt souls. The death and suffering of those seeking to do God’s work, is like an intoxicating beverage to some people.

I cannot know the spiritual status of the souls killed or wounded in Minneapolis in recent days and weeks. But they suffered death and injury while opposing injustice and oppression. The dead and wounded are not the villains.

I cannot know the spiritual status of the souls who fired the shots in Minneapolis. But they caused the death and injury of men and women, out of all proportion to the threat they posed. The slayers are not the heroes.

Consider your own actions in recent history. What do you support? What do you oppose? Consider that standing to the side supports the oppressors and furthers injustice.

Think: Do I find joy or pleasure in the blood of saints and martyrs?

Pray: “Lord, give me courage to oppose injustice and oppression.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Testimony Now, Promise Later

Testimony Now, Promise Later by Kirk Hunt

And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Hebrews 11:39-40 NKJV

Despite victories such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, Dr. King continued working to free all of America’s citizens from injustice and discrimination. His earthly reward for seeking a better America? An assassin’s bullet.

Scripture summarizes the suffering and victories of Old Testament Prophets and Heroes in Hebrews 11. Those men and women did not live to see God’s promises completed, but they did their part to fulfill their callings. Usually, at great personal cost or their very lives.

Hebrews 11 rehearses the faithfulness and endurance of Old Testament saints. They fulfilled their calling and purpose, despite not seeing their victory in complete fullness. Hebrews 12 exhorts New Testament saints to be just as faithful and enduring.

Christians of the Roman world often suffered and died but they eventually converted polytheistic pagans into devout Christians. With the continuing advantage of Jesus and the Holy Spirit, we should do as much. Echoing the faith and diligence of Old and New Testament saints, our faithfulness will require that we seek something better, regardless of the personal cost.

Seek something better, no matter who is bothered or how they object. Your prize for delivering freedom or salvation will be God’s eternal approval. Give your testimony now, receive His promise later.

Think: Do your part whether or not you see the final victory.

Pray: “Lord, help me to fulfill my calling from You, no matter how others object.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

You Pass Through

You Pass Through by Kirk Hunt

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

First, the bad news: You will pass through hard, difficult places. Now, the good news: God will be with you, and help you, through every moment.

All Christians have a calling from God. If you are obedient to Him, He will lead you through deep waters, raging rivers and burning places. His promise is to carry you through those places, not over them.

In the middle of the deep deluge, you might forget. Navigating the vicious rapids, you may be distracted. Dodging flames and burning embers, you may have concerns. No matter how it looks, He is there, carrying you through.

Why do we go through these hard and harsh places? Sometimes, our trials build something into us that we need. Other times, our struggles remove the imperfections in our soul and character. Perhaps you are example to others who see Him in your circumstances.

His will or purposes do not always make sense to us. Maybe, one day in eternity, He will explain. Until then, spit out the water, or brush off the ashes. Rely on His promises.

No matter what happens, the God of the universe promises to be right where you are. Stretch your faith toward His faithfulness. Rest your obedience on this promise: He will be with you.

Think: God promises to be with us. Do I believe His promises?

Pray: “Lord, hold my hand as I travel through difficult places with You.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

Removing God Blockers

Removing God Blockers by Kirk Hunt

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple.

Isaiah 6:1 NKJV

Uzziah is considered by Biblical scholars as a good and faithful king. Still, he may have been blocking Isaiah’s view of God. Anything that blocks your relationship with God is a bad thing. What has to change (or die) to for you to see God again?

If Uzziah obscured Isaiah’s focus on God, the biggest fault lies with Isaiah. Men and women are responsible for their own relationship with God. If you think your view of God is obscured move the obstruction, or yourself, to a different spot.

Too often, we blame others, or circumstances, for our situation. It may not be easy to change, but you have agency for your own life. No matter what happened before, what are you doing now?

God’s glory and majesty filled and overwhelmed to Temple. He is a big God and His splendor can be seen in all of creation. If you cannot see Him, that is because there is something in the way. If you cannot move it, then you must move you.

Of course, that assumes you want to see God. Maybe you are content or comfortable with your situation and state. Your relationship with God, or His calling on your life, will make demands on you. Are you willing to do what it takes to have a clear view of God?

Think: What interferes with my view of God? What will I do about it?

Pray: “Lord, help me to remove anything that blocks my focus on you.”

This devotional is a ministry of CadreMen Press.

The Coat Is Just a Symbol

The Coat Is Just a Symbol by Kirk Hunt

And he recognized it and said, “It is my son’s tunic. A wild beast has devoured him. Without doubt Joseph is torn to pieces.” Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.

Genesis 37:33-34 NKJV
Please also read Genesis 37:31-35 NKJV

Jacob wept loud and long. His sons had convinced him Joseph was dead. As they watched the old man howl in grief and heartache, perhaps they realized, in that moment, that the tunic was only a symbol.

Joseph’s tunic (called a “coat” in the King James Version of the Bible) was a symbol of Jacob’s love and favor regarding Joseph. They could strip the coat off Joseph’s back, but they could not pull Jacob’s feeling off his son. Men and women can steal a symbol from you, but they cannot touch God’s feelings about you.

God gave you a calling or anointing. Do not confuse your title, certificate or badge with God’s love and purpose for you. A symbol is a poor substitute for the authentic article in your life.

The coat kept Joseph warm. The coat made Joseph stand out. The coat was just a symbol of Jacob’s love for Joseph.

I praise God for your title, office or certification. You worked hard. You earned it. Those outward things are just a symbol of Father-God’s love and purpose for you.

Think: Do I love the symbol or do I love God?

Pray: “Father-God, help me see the real article of Your love and purpose in my life.

This devotional is brought to you courtesy of CadreMen Press. You can purchase a copy of Blessed and Blessing: Devotionals For Gospel Champions from your favorite bookseller or directly from CadreMen Press.

Stick To The Calling

Stick To The Calling by Kirk Hunt

And after him was Eleazar the son of Dodo, the Ahohite, one of the three mighty men with David when they defied the Philistines who were gathered there for battle, and the men of Israel had retreated. He arose and attacked the Philistines until his hand was weary, and his hand stuck to the sword. The Lord brought about a great victory that day; and the people returned after him only to plunder.

2 Samuel 23:9-10 NKJV

Eleazar, the son of Dodo, fought against the Philistines so long and so hard that his hand cramped around the hilt of his sword. When it finally came time to let go of his weapon, he could not. I have experienced this same effect using construction tools. May your service in God’s Kingdom induce the same “stick to it” at least once in your life.

Alone, after all others retreated, Eleazar fought on. He fought with courage greater than his fear. His determination was so fierce that his hand froze around his weapon. He fought to the end because he could not let the enemy win or leave his calling in God.

Here and now, under the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, we fight for God’s Kingdom. In this era we serve and minister rather than swing swords. Still, our level of effort can all too easily match Eleazar’s exertions on that nameless battlefield.

Make no mistake: God brings the victory. A mighty man or woman of God is willing to be His instrument. Let God use you to achieve the impossible.

Think: Mighty are the men and women who stick to it in service to Him.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to stick to my calling.”

The Lord Has Blessed The House

The Lord Has Blessed The House by Kirk Hunt

Now it was told King David, saying, “The Lord has blessed the house of Obed-Edom and all that belongs to him, because of the ark of God.” So David went and brought up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with gladness.

2 Samuel 6:12 NKJV

King David heard the news and concerned himself with Obed-Edom. Obed-Edom’s faithful service involved having the Ark of God (aka the Ark of The Covenant) in his home. God’s presence and power made itself known with blessing of the man’s house and household.

After the tragedy of Uzzah, David placed the Ark in Obed-Edom’s house. Obed-Edom faithfully maintained the physical symbol of God’s presence on earth in his home. For three months, the power of God directly rewarded him and his. So much so, that a king looked on with longing.

Your faithful service in God’s kingdom is never without reward. No amount of money can purchase His peace. No level of fame gives His joy. Even the rich, or high, or mighty will look at His presence in your life and covet what you have.

It may not seem like much to you, but be faithful anyway. If God gave your calling, then it is important. And God’s blessing of you, and your house, will make it worthwhile.

Think: God blesses the house of men and women who serve Him in spirit and truth.

Pray: “Father-God, help me to serve my calling in spirit and truth.”

A Life Of Peril And Calling

A Life Of Peril And Calling by Kirk Hunt

In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren

2 Corinthians 11:26 NKJV
Please also read 2 Corinthians 11:22-28 NKJV

The Apostle Paul could have had tenure. He had the intelligence, education and connections to establish a Christian Academy and live comfortably. He could have taught and published with zero risk to himself. Instead, he lived a life of peril.

Paul lived a life of danger, risk and suffering for the Gospel. Paul’s history, and scars, gave him tremendous credibility among the Roman legions. Some traditions report that Paul single-handedly evangelized the Praetorian Guard, elite soldiers and body guards of the Caesars.

Personally, I find more comfort in the scarred face of a veteran than the smooth skin of an academic. I like living proof that it can be done, or at least survived. I feel better knowing somebody else struggled, stayed with God, and overcame the same “little problems” I face.

Your scars are a blessing. They give you knowledge and experience you could never get any other way. They give you credibility with people you might not otherwise effect.

For someone, your scars are comfort and reassurance. Struggling folks often do not want to hear from someone smooth and polished. More often, they want to hear from a survivor. They want to hear from someone just like you.

Think: The scars, in service for God, are really a blessing.

Pray: “Lord, help me to faithfully persevere in Your calling on my life.”

Can God Send You?

“Can God Send You?” By Kirk Hunt

Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying:
“Whom shall I send,
And who will go for Us?”

Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Isaiah 6:8 NKJV
Please also read Isaiah 6:1–10

Freshly purged of his sin, Isaiah was eligible to answer the call. Standing in the very presence of God, Isaiah could not miss the call. Isaiah’s answer echoes still: “Send me.”

Calling is not a spiritual form of conscription. It is a Godly empowerment for a specific ministry or mission. You can thwart a God-ordained call on your life, through disobedience and rebellion.

Isaiah chose the better path. On hearing the call, he responded to God with willingness and obedience. “Here I stand. Give me the assignment.”

Calling is best exercised with joy and energy. What is the difference between an exasperating drudgery and a soul-enriching adventure? Do you respond God’s call as an inconvenient conscription or life-fulfilling opportunity?

There may be difficulties or dangers. They might receive you with gladness or reject you with anger. As much as you want good results, it is more important that you have good obedience. Let God sort out the hearts that hear God’s Word, spoken with skill and grace.

Let God purge you of sin and error. Listen carefully to His heart for men and women. What He asks who to send, raise both hands.

Think: Am I willing to let God purge me of my sin and impurity?

Pray: “Lord, purge me of my sin so I can have fellowship with you.”

The King’s Purpose

“The King’s Purpose” By Kirk Hunt

“Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel,” which is translated, “God with us.”

Matthew 1:23 NKJV

Mankind, through Adam, had caused the separation from God. As any loving Father would, God made a way to mend the breech. “God with us,” is both purpose and outcome.

Jesus willingly gave up the eternity and splendor of heaven to walk among us. Not just for proximity but to give man back what had been lost. Jesus restored direct access to, fellowship with, God.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifices, we can once against speak directly with God. Because of His dedication to God’s purpose, we have been restored as God’s sons and daughters. Jesus has restored walking with God in the garden.

Perhaps your garden is soft and grassy. It could be that your garden is hard and rocky. What is important is that you know you have a garden, and that God walks there with you.

We work, live and play in the garden where God has placed us. Consider this Christmas that God with us is truer now, than it has ever been. He came and restored the connection. Now He calls to you, “Come walk with Me.”

You are part of His plan and strategy. No matter how much you have surprised others, He saw everything about you, long ago. Take time this season to simply walk with Him. He has a purpose He wants to reveal you.

Think: God’s purpose is to walk with me. Do I walk with Him?

Pray: “Lord, as I build Your Kingdom, help me to enjoy walking with You.”